Genre
Synopsis
The psychological thriller opens with a glimpse into the childhood of identical twins Esme and Viva Starling, highlighting their deep bond and contrasting personalities. Fast forward two decades and Esme has become an ambitious criminal lawyer, while Viva remains a free spirit, living a life of rebellion and creativity.
Esme, engulfed in her work, neglects her relationships and her husband Patrick seeks out her twin sister Viva for company. As their secret affair unravels, it rekindles old resentments and jealousy, leading to a tragic accident that sees Viva fall from a cliff during a heated argument with Esme.
In a desperate bid to escape the repercussions and her guilt, Esme assumes Viva's identity. It was only meant to be temporary, but Esme finds it thrilling as she embarks on a complex journey of deception by simultaneously living two wildly different lives. Suspicions arise and she becomes embroiled in a blackmail scheme orchestrated by their grifter father, who threatens to expose the truth.
The story reaches its climax as Esme's meticulously crafted façade begins to crumble, forcing her to decide on which identity she will adopt. Hers, her sisters...or someone else entirely. Woven through are themes of identity, guilt, the search for freedom, escape and eventually redemption. Esme grapples with the consequences of her choices and the realization that escaping one's dark past comes at a devastating price.
Bio
Nina Martinek is an Australian/Czech writer and director. Her short films have screened at film festivals internationally including Sundance, LA Shorts, Mannheim/Heidelberg, Edinburgh, Vienna, Toronto Women’s Film Festival and Brooklyn Art Museum. Nina is an alumna of NYU Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film Program. She has worked extensively as a documentary filmmaker in Africa for UNICEF and as a video producer/journalist for Reuters and the New York Times. Nina recently completed her debut narrative feature film, “Happy Birthday Charlie” and is working on a documentary “What We Dream”.
